Tirelo

When the School Bell Rings, Opportunity Begins: Lights On After School South Africa Returns for its 7th Year 

The 2026 Lights On After School campaign, returns to South Africa for its seventh year under the theme Switched On! Ready to Learn. Ready to Play. Ready to Grow.

The campaign is led by The Learning Trust and YearBeyond, with support from partners across the country, celebrates the people and organisations powering the after-school sector while drawing attention to the wider role these programmes play in creating opportunity.

Our 2025 Annual Report is LIVE!  

A 15-year review on strengthening the organisations, partnerships and systems that support children and young people beyond the classroom.  We’re proud to present our 2025 Annual Report: Building South Africa’s After-School Ecosystem – A 15-Year Review.  As The Learning Trust (TLT) celebrate 15 years of strengthening South Africa’s after-school sector, this report reflects on our journey alongside community-based organisations, … Read more

After School Programmes Are South Africa’s untapped Solution

South Africa’s education system is faced with a myriad of challenges that negatively impact learning and employment outcomes. Studies such as the ThrivebyFive Index show that many learners start Grade 1 already far behind, with only 42% of our children in early learning settings are developmentally “on track”, which is one of the contributing factors to our … Read more

6th annual Lights On After School Movement highlights mentorship in fighting youth unemployment 

On 23 October, South Africa will join several countries around the world in marking the sixth annual Lights On After School (LOAS) campaign. Led locally by The Learning Trust in partnership with YearBeyond, the initiative shines a spotlight on the critical role After School Programmes (ASPs)play in shaping young lives, by reducing school dropout and creating pathways out of poverty … Read more

Strengthening the After School Sector: TLT Annual Report 2024

The Learning Trust is proud to share our 2024 Annual Report, a reflection of a three-year journey to strengthen South Africa’s extended learning sector. This year’s report highlights how After School Programmes (ASPs) continue to play a critical role in advancing education equity, reducing dropout rates and preparing young people for meaningful futures. From supporting … Read more

5 Key Lessons from The Learning Trust’s Impact Evaluation Report

Over the past five years, The Learning Trust (TLT) has worked to strengthen After School Programmes (ASPs) across South Africa, ensuring they have the resources, skills and support needed to sustain and scale. This impact report provides a deep dive into the outcomes of our funding and capacity-support model.

Beyond the Classroom Quarterly Newsletter

In this edition of the Beyond The Classroom quarterly newsletter, we share updates from the past quarter, including key developments, programme updates, and collaborative efforts driving meaningful change.

Read on to learn how we’re working together to improve learning and employment outcomes in underserved communities across South Africa. Read on to learn how we are strengthening the after-school space.

Introducing the After School Quality Standards and Quality Assessment Tool (QAT)

The Learning Trust is proud to introduce the After School Quality Standards and Quality Assessment Tool (QAT), a vital tool co-created with in-put from after-school programmes across South Africa to ensure every learner receives the best support possible. What are After School Quality Standards, and Why Do They Matter? The After School Quality Standards are a … Read more

Minister Mackenzie calls for support for ‘Lights On After School’ 2024

It is one week to go until global ‘Lights On After School’ Day, which will be celebrated on 24 October 2024 to highlight the vital role played by After School Programmes (ASPs) in equipping learners to thrive. Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, encourages widespread support for this year’s campaign, themed ‘Building … Read more

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